The section of State Highway 3 which follows the west coast of the North Island from New Plymouth up to Hamilton is rarely explored by those of us here in the east. Initially clinging to the coast and following the North Taranaki Bight before turning inland at Mokau to avoid Mt Messenger and heading into King Country. Following the Waipa River through Otorohanga to Te Awamutu and the prosperous rolling dairy country of the Waikato, it makes its way into Hamilton itself where it morphs into SH23 out to Raglan back on the west coast. So, we’re going to spend a number of days wandering this area with plenty of reminders of classic New Zealand.
Day 1: We head west with lunch in Whanganui and a stop at the southern terminus of SH3 at Hawera then on to New Plymouth and the lovely Devon Hotel, our base for the next couple of nights.
Day 2: Begins with an opportunity to explore the city at leisure with destinations such as Puke Ariki Museum, the amazing Len Lye Gallery or the City Shopping Centre mall. Then, after lunch at the Rainforest Eatery, it’s off to the magnificent Pukeiti Garden, in the shadow of Taranaki/Mt Egmont, for a guided tour. Taranaki must be amongst the best regions in the country for gardens and Pukeiti is one of their finest. We also visit Shedou Palms this afternoon.
Day 3: We start heading north following the coast and visit a number of landmarks as we go. First a brief stop at the astonishing Te Rewa Rewa (whalebone) Bridge and then morning tea at The Three Sisters & Elephant Rock and also a stop at the amazing Mangapohue Natural Bridge before arriving for a late lunch at The Huhu Cafe in Waitomo. After lunch we continue on SH3 through to Te Awamutu. We spend the night in ‘Rose Town’.
Day 4: Today sees us initially head further inland to stunning Sanctuary Mountain at Mangatautari for a guided tour around this bird, animal and plant reserve before we can resist the call of the coast no longer and turn west to the historic settlement of Kawhia and the beautiful inlet it overlooks. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and a jaunt to Kawhia’s Hot Water Beach for a paddle and brief soak. From here it’s up through Pirongia Forest Park and Ngahinapouri to Hamilton and our hotel, the wonderful Novotel Tainui right on the Waikato River.
Day 5: A day trip to Raglan is the focus today. A cruise on the tranquil Raglan Harbour is followed by a fish & chips lunch at The Wharf Kitchen and time in the afternoon to wander around this remarkable little town before we head back to Hamilton. What a day!
Day 6: We visit perhaps the best kept world-class secret in New Zealand – Hamilton Gardens. This remarkable public space is home to numerous ‘Themed’ gardens featuring stylised forms of gardens from around the world. We’ll be treated to a guided tour of all the themed spaces at this most impressive venue, which is bound to amaze and entertain. After morning tea here, we have a couple of surprises in store for the afternoon.
Day 7: We head home today, stopping for an early lunch at the Taupō Golf Club before being back in the Bay early afternoon.
The Taranaki, King Country and Waikato regions are choc-full of hidden gems we’ll be discovering on this tour. Join us to gain a greater appreciation of one of the North Islands least travelled highways.
